Hitting the wall, proverbial at least

[rattis]

Hi have a standard Roadking with standard brakes that don't impress me much
So here's a question to you chaps out there
Which is the first step to better brakes?
I'll do what it takes but would like to start with the most effective step and then go for the finer details as the bucks roll in
SO please tell me all your secrets

[HarleyCruiser]

I don’t know what year your bike is but if it is older with the one cylinder calipers, upgrading it to the new style four piston calipers are a big improvement, and pretty easy to do.
If your bike is newer, then you will need to go to a aftermarket six piston, and should go to a larger rotor.
This you should do at the same time, otherwise you will need different mounts for the caliper for the different size rotors.
What are your brakes not doing?
They soft, or just not enough stop for you?
Are you using both front and rear?

[rattis]

what I have is a 05 Roadking with double rotors and no idea how many pistons
what i want is brakes like a Ducati

[milindh]

Hey Rattis

If you want brakes like a Ducati maybe you should put Ducati brakes on it. Probably do-able with some fancy fabricatin'. However keep in mind that stopping a 450 lb Ducati is a lot easier than stopping a 750lb Roadking. You might need Peterbuilt brakes to stand your RK on its nose.

This last year I put Lyndahl pads on my FXR. They claim 20% increase in stopping power and I think that is about right if they are warmed up. It wasn't a night and day difference though.

You could take the route Ace mentions and get good aftermarket brakes or you could try to adapt the Brembo brakes from the newer HD baggers and V-rods. I don't know if you could just bolt them right on or if you'd have to have different fork legs. You might have to change the master cylinder too....$$$$? If you could get the brake system off a wrecked late model Brembo equipped bagger you might have something cool at a good price. I hate the thought of buying anything from a dealer these days. They recently raised the prices through the roof on all their parts. Part of their economic self stimulus package. Mo' money for them. Less money for us. I think it's their way of redistributing our wealth.

[Shaggyman]

Please explain. Will bigger rotors and six piston calipers stop my bike quicker without the skid? As it is I'm pretty cautious about how I use my rear brake. (Although I'm told I brake fairly aggressively).

[frisco-rigid]

Hi Shaggy

I have used one piston single-action, 4-piston and 2 piston Dual-action calipers..
Again, in my experience, I think it is all hype and BS..

I have found no more braking efficiency from either..

What I do find More or Less efficiency from is Rotor and Pad material and the correct size Master-cylinder..

The rotor material I find gives ME (my experience) the best percieved control is either Mild steel and Ductile Iron.. I seem to like HH pad material best..
The correct size master-cylinder will give you More percieved control and feeling of Braking..

I have felt for years that the Manufacturers of these diff products, Ign.'s, Brakes, M-C's, etc etc, just prey on folks desire for bragging rights and lack of common sense..
------If it costs more, is billet, has more doo-dads etc etc it's gotta be better ,,,,, right..??????